Although less glamorous than its New York namesake, Kansas, Manhattan has plenty of culinary treats to offer diners everywhere. From fun takes on Mexican Old West and 50s dining, to the best wine bar in the entire state, the city is constantly offering new culinary surprises. Discover them and many other appealing restaurants, grills and bars in our guide to the vibrant dining establishments in this unusual town.
This popular haunt was the former home of Harry Pratt Wareham, who brought sewers and telephones to the city as well as The Wareham Hotel. The building provides elegance in spades, which is increased by the restaurant’s classy menu of modern American cuisine, centered around the finest meats and fish. The venue is historic, the food is modern, and the dining experience is a unique treat in the Manhattan dining scene.
On their website, Little Apple Brewing describe themselves as a great venue offering ‘great steaks and great beer’ – which is indeed what they do best. The combination of quality Angus Beef with their selection of hand-crafted ales has made this the place to visit in Manhattan for the best beer and beef in a relaxed, casual setting.
The first incarnation of The Chef opened its doors towards the end of the Second World War, where it stood with its famous horseshoe counter for over four decades. When a group of friends decided to open a diner in downtown Manhattan in 2008, they looked to fill the void left by The Chef closing in ’86 by reopening it and offering the best breakfast food around. The traditional meets the contemporary at the Chef, with a menu perfect for modern tastes, available inside a restaurant still using its original neon sign from the 1940s.
A wood-fired grill and cantina, CoCo Bolos‘ New Mexican cuisine is inspired and authentic, and served within a wonderfully vibrant restaurant decorated by local mural painters and always featuring a mood-lifting playlist of what the restaurant calls ‘spicy music’. With food being served from brunch until midnight, it is the perfect place to get the party started.
Rock A Belly is a bar and deli inspired by the food, sounds and visuals of the mid-20th century. That it manages this – with its diner-style booths and neon decor – without getting weighed down by nostalgia sets it above many similar establishments, as does its delicious lunchtime food selections of sandwiches, salads and bagels, which are the best casual lunch choices the city has to offer.
Serving Midwestern and Southern cuisine exemplified by the cultures and families of the team, Bourbon & Baker offers a small but perfectly formed menu paired with an extensive bourbon list. All this, and an attached bakery offering delectable cakes to order, cookies and other sweet treats mean that the Bourbon & Baker is a perfect location for any occasion.
From the team that established Manhattan highlights Rock A Belly Deli and Taco Lucha comes So Long Saloon, a venue that shares its sister restaurants’ sense of fun mixed with fabulous food. Featuring a mahogany and maple interior straight out of the Old West, they serve Old West favorites mixed with the best of modern American and Latin cuisine. Mosey on down for great grub and an atmosphere truly like no other.
A local institution, the Bluestem turns the freshest ingredients into made-from-scratch meals and specialties. In addition to this, they have an in-house bakery offering artisan breads to enjoy in your own home, or from which the Bluestem team can craft a sandwich or pizza as reasonably priced as it is tasty. Choose to eat in and enjoy their regular live music, or come along to their long-standing popular Sunday Jazz Brunch for a relaxing weekend break.
Considered the finest wine bar in the state, 4 Olives is an award-winning venue where the world’s finest wines are matched perfectly to a inspired menu. Choose full-on fine dining with 4 Olives’ small plates and entrées which offer their take on American and European dining. Alternatively, their menu of cheeses and charcuterie allows truly authentic European dining with each meat and cheese matched with a wine beforehand. Whichever you choose, you will be experiencing the city’s finest take on fine-dining.
Continuing the fun of its sister restaurants So Long Saloon and Rock A Belly Deli, Taco Lucha takes the unique style of these establishments and applies it to its Mexican-style restaurant. Serving Mexican taqueria street food, Taco Lucha also offers a menu of the best cocktails in the Manhattan area as well as a long list of tequila. This, alongside modern flavorful Mexican staples like tacos, burritos and more makes this the place to be in Manhattan.
